Berlusconi: Italy to start reducing troop numbers in Iraq in September

FRANCES D'EMILIOAssociated Press Writer

Published Wednesday, March 16, 2005

click photo to enlarge

Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi speaks during RAI's Television show "Porta a Porta" hosted by Bruno Vespa on his government's achievements in Rome, Tuesday March 15, 2005. Touching on several topics, Berlusconi said during the show that Italy will start reducing trops in Iraq in September.

AP Photo ROME -- Premier Silvio Berlusconi, facing rising opposition to the war in Iraq and public outcry over the deadly U.S. shooting of an Italian agent in Baghdad, announced Tuesday that Italy will start withdrawing its 3,000 troops from Iraq beginning in September.

While taping a state TV talk show to air later Tuesday, Berlusconi said, "In September we will begin a progressive reduction of the number of our soldiers in Iraq."

Withdrawing Italian troops "will depend on the capability of the Iraqi government to give itself structures for acceptable security," the ANSA news agency quoted Berlusconi as saying. "I've spoken about it with (British Prime Minister) Tony Blair, and it's the public opinion of our countries that expects this decision."

In Washington, White House spokesman Scott McClellan said, "We certainly appreciate the contributions of the Italians. They have served and sacrificed alongside Iraqis and alongside other coalition forces."

Italian government officials had already indicated that Rome would consider withdrawing troops if Iraq could handle its own security. Last fall, Italy's defense minister said coalition troops in Iraq could be gradually cut after Iraq's elections in January, but he did not cite a timetable.

Opposition to the war and to Italy's involvement in Iraq is strong here. Berlusconi faced renewed pressure to pull troops out after the March 4 killing in Baghdad of an Italian intelligence agent as he escorted a recently released hostage to freedom.